Chapter 319: White Lion’s Guliang!
High in the sky, Adrian was racing towards Totto Land without a moment's rest. He deliberately ignored the New World pirate crews he occasionally spotted sailing below. After all, what were these small-time prizes compared to the big fish he was after?
However, Adrian hadn't anticipated that, while passing through this region, he would unexpectedly come under attack from below!
"You dare attack me after I spared you, pirate?" Adrian's eyes flashed red as he activated his Kenbunshoku Haki. With his maxed-out Ghostly Body, he completely disregarded the flying slashes coming at him from below.
Scanning the sea below with his heightened senses, Adrian quickly took in the situation.
"The White Lion Pirates?" he muttered, raising an eyebrow in mild surprise.
After years in this sea, Adrian had developed a clear understanding. The New World was teeming with pirates, far more than depicted in the original story. Most of these pirates were nameless casualties in the race for the Pirate King's throne.
Why else would legends like Whitebeard, Shanks, Big Mom, and Kaido come to be known as the Four Emperors who ruled the New World? They had eliminated all their competition, a ruthless method but very in line to the word 'pirate'.
The pirate crew that attacked first was the White Lion Pirates, a group with no mention in the original story but with a big reputation in the real sea!
Adrian's change in attitude was naturally due to the strength of this "White Lion Pirates."
"If I remember correctly, White Lion Guliang has a bounty of around 1.8 billion Berries, a bit higher than mine," Adrian thought, riding the wind, pondering over the information he had on the White Lion Pirates.
"As for abilities, it's confirmed that he's a Devil Fruit user related to lions."
"First Golden Lion, now another Lion?" Adrian shook his head, momentarily altering his plans to head to Totto Land.
The enemy below, who had willingly presented himself, was stronger than most in Totto Land. At the very least, the combat information displayed showed he was a high level target!
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[Based on your level and attributes, you have obtained the following information.]
[White Lion Guliang] (Hostile)
[Level: 99]
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"Just one step away from reaching level 100," Adrian murmured, narrowing his eyes as he suddenly dove towards the sea below.
"This big catch, now that it's in my net, there's no way I'll let it go!"
On the flagship of the White Lion Pirates below, White Lion Guliang noticed the airborne "intruder" not only surviving his proud attack but continuing to come towards him. A hint of interest flickered in Guliang's eyes.
The sound of wings flapping echoed as enormous white-gray feathers sprouted from Guliang's back, their wingspan nearly covering the pirate ship's deck!
Guliang beat his wings, legs slightly bent, and shot upward.
"Rise, Furious Lion!"
The crew of the White Lion Pirates didn't find it surprising that their captain chose to go solo. After all, this was the behavior they'd come to expect from their lion-hearted leader.
This was the true spirit of a lion!
Adrian watched the peculiar winged figure rapidly closing the distance below. A hint of curiosity flashed in his eyes.
He had initially assumed that Guliang possessed a typical Zoan-type Devil Fruit ability or perhaps an ancient zoan fruit. But those wings seemed out of place!
After all, lions with wings weren't exactly common!
"Have I seen you before...?" Guliang steadied himself mid-air, locking eyes with Adrian.
"Perhaps about a year ago?" Guliang's memory clicked into place. "You're the 'White Ghost' who fought the Celestial Dragons in the Sabaody Archipelago!"
Adrian brushed off the small talk.
He observed the enormous gray-white wings behind Guliang and straightforwardly asked, "Guliang, are you a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit user?"
Pirates rarely concealed their abilities.
"Mythical Zoan?"
Guliang shook his head, flapping his wings a few times.
"No, just an ordinary Ancient Zoan—Lion-Lion Fruit, Griffin Model."
"Just? Really?"
Adrian's lips twitched. He'd momentarily forgotten that this was a completely fantastical and magical sea.
The legendary creatures from ancient tales were entirely plausible here!
Why not a Griffin?
Charlotte Linlin's Whole Cake Library likely held even more exotic beasts!
Crack—
Guliang clenched his hands together, flexing his knuckles, creating a satisfying cracking sound.
"Let's test your strength, White Ghost!"
Guliang swung his wings, hurtling toward Adrian at breakneck speed.
"Show me what you've got!"
"Skyward Lion Palm!"
As Adrian prepared to draw his sword, he was momentarily stunned by Guliang's audacious naming ability.
Regaining his focus, he found Guliang closing in. This elite fighter was impressive in both strength and speed, especially with the boost from his Zoan-type Devil Fruit.
"Skyward Lion Strike!"
Facing an opponent whose bounty was comparable to his own, Guliang remained vigilant. His right hand, the size of a millstone, gathered immense force, overlaid with a deep black Armament Haki. He delivered an unmatched, powerful hand strike toward the White Ghost before him.
Adrian marveled once again at Guliang's naming ability. Shaking his head, he abruptly vanished from his original position.
An innocent-looking white ghost suddenly appeared where he had been, but Guliang's strike dispersed it entirely.
Just then…
Adrian reappeared, a supremely sharp spiritual pressure sword already formed in his hand. His right arm bulged with the unleashed power of 'Dragon Force'.
In the next instant, Adrian swung his right hand, unleashing the most potent technique he currently mastered.
Spirit Pressure: Mighty Nation!
Boom—
The colossal cylindrical shockwave, interwoven with pale, cotton-like spiritual pressure, erupted from Adrian's blade. It carried a frenzy of destructive force, hurtling directly toward Guliang's position.
Faced with this attack, a surge of determination filled Guliang's eyes. He bellowed, instantly entering full beast mode.
And thus, the legendary White Lion Griffin made its entrance!